Getting Ready For the Saturday NFL Triple-Header on NFL Network

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It’s officially time for Saturday NFL football, y’all, and NFL Network is where all the action will be. The network will be airing three Week 16 games nationally on Saturday, a step up from the double-header they have offered the last two seasons. Thankfully, all three games will be meaningful, and five of the six teams competing are either clinched or seriously in the hunt for the postseason.

Game 1:

Houston (9-5) at Tampa Bay (7-7)
Kickoff: 1:00 P.M ET
Line: Houston -3
Total: 50
TV: NFL Network

Why you should watch: The AFC South-leading Texans are currently the fourth seed in the AFC Playoffs. They haven’t clinched anything yet, though, but that could change after this game. Win and they’re in, flat-out — the division would belong to them. It should be noted they can still clinch the division this week if they lose and Tennessee loses to New Orleans, or a playoff spot if Pittsburgh loses to the Jets.

READ:  Complete NFL Playoff Picture and Odds After Week 15

Game 2:

Buffalo (10-4) at New England (11-3)
Kickoff: 4:30 P.M ET
Line: New England -6.5
Total: 38
TV: NFL Network

Why you should watch: Easily the most intriguing game of the triple-header, the Bills (10-4) and Patriots have both clinched spots in the playoffs already but the AFC East title is still up for grabs. Buffalo only has a three-percent chance to win the division because they need some help, but a win here is a good start. They’ll also need to win in Week 17 against the Jets and have Miami beat New England. For the Pats, a win over Buffalo locks them into their 17th AFC East title in the last 19 seasons. On top of that, a win by New England and a win by Chicago on Sunday Night Football would secure them a first-round bye for the 10th-straight season.

Game 3:

LA Rams (8-6) at San Francisco (11-3)
Kickoff: 8:15 P.M ET
Line: San Francisco -6.5
Total: 45
TV: NFL Network

Why you should watch: LA got dragged by the Cowboys in Week 15 but they’re not bounced from postseason contention yet. They have a three-percent chance to make the NFC Playoffs, and only as a wild card team. They’ll need to beat San Francisco, beat Arizona in Week 17, and have the Vikings drop their last two games. That’s their only scenario to make the postseason. For the Niners, they clinched a spot in the postseason last week despite losing to Atlanta, yet they have hopes of a division title still. The best part: it’s totally in their control. San Francisco can clinch the division and a first-round bye if they beat the Rams on Saturday night, then Seattle in Week 17. Even if they lose to LA, they’ll still have a chance to clinch the division with a Week 17 win over the Seahawks. Under the second scenario, they’ll need some help to get the first-round bye, so yeah, this is still an important game for the Niners.